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The past year has been like a rollercoaster ride for those of us in education. The future promises to be a continuation of the same ride and holds many uncertainties with budgets and assessments. We began 2007-08 with the exciting news of a $3000 increase for all certified educators in the state of Kentucky. Then we moved on to preparing for on-demand and PLAN tests in the fall of 2007. This was quite a challenge with students only being in school a couple of months and educators not really knowing the whole parameters or fall-out of so-called "failing" scores. Then came the concordance tables that were difficult to explain to staff…not to mention the public. This was the first year that every Junior student in the state was required to take the ACT test which is now a part of the state accountability test. These test results should be back any day now and we face the challenge of developing individual plans for those students not quite making the "grade" on the test-much like we have to do for the PLAN test.
On the national level, we ponder what will happen with NCLB. As President of KASSP, I began my year in Washington, D.C. meeting with legislators in the House and the Senate discussing the pros and cons of NCLB. In October, I was selected by the six state region of NASSP as their minority board delegate for the next four years beginning July 2008. This will give me numerous opportunities to represent the secondary principals of Kentucky on key federal legislative issues. In January 2008, I began representing KASSP on the executive board of KASA. This seat enables me to represent the secondary principlas on state legislative matters oer the next three years. The highlight of my year has been being selected by my peers as the
"KASSP High School Principal of the Year". I can think of no greater honor and I thank all of you that have supported me and contributed to helping me achieve this honor.
In June, I will relinquish my presidency at the Summer KASSP conference to Beverly Keepers, president-elect. I am looking forward to the wonderful program that Ron Ortiz, vice president-elect, has planned for all of us. The summer conference will have a new addition of SBDM training we are all required to do annually. For those of you that love to golf-don't forget to sign-up when you register for the conference. I encourage each of you to attend the summer conference and network with your peers throughout the state…see you there!!!
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